Credit Counselor Salary in 2026
How Much Do Credit Counselors Make?
Credit Counselors earn a median annual salary of $50,480 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $38,980 at the 10th percentile to $77,920 at the 90th percentile — a range of $38,940. The highest-paying state is California at $65,820.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,980 |
| 25th percentile | $45,420 |
| Median (50th) | $50,480 |
| 75th percentile | $61,760 |
| 90th percentile | $77,920 |
Credit Counselor Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $65,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,330 |
| New York | $62,090 |
| Massachusetts | $62,060 |
| District of Columbia | $61,810 |
| Washington | $61,170 |
| Oregon | $58,730 |
| Minnesota | $58,640 |
| Maryland | $58,300 |
| Rhode Island | $58,220 |
| Georgia | $57,300 |
| Idaho | $55,520 |
| New Hampshire | $53,990 |
| Ohio | $52,470 |
| Delaware | $52,310 |
| Nevada | $51,960 |
| Colorado | $51,670 |
| Wisconsin | $51,340 |
| Virginia | $51,330 |
| Illinois | $51,160 |
| Michigan | $51,000 |
| Nebraska | $50,890 |
| Indiana | $50,440 |
| North Dakota | $50,430 |
| North Carolina | $49,670 |
| South Dakota | $49,610 |
| South Carolina | $49,420 |
| Utah | $49,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,040 |
| Connecticut | $48,380 |
| Florida | $48,340 |
| Alabama | $48,040 |
| Maine | $47,910 |
| Kentucky | $47,680 |
| Arizona | $47,300 |
| Louisiana | $47,060 |
| Texas | $46,910 |
| Missouri | $46,860 |
| Iowa | $46,590 |
| New Mexico | $46,340 |
| Tennessee | $44,300 |
| Montana | $42,520 |
| Oklahoma | $42,250 |
| West Virginia | $40,940 |
| Arkansas | $40,410 |
| Mississippi | $39,100 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Credit Counselors
Credit Counselor Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$38,980 – $45,420 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$50,480 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$61,760 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $77,920+ |
How to Earn More as a Credit Counselor
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Credit Counselors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $76,880 — $26,400 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($61,760) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Credit Counselor Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Credit Counselorthis career | $50,480 |
| Financial Manager | $161,700 |
| Accountants and Auditor | $81,680 |
| Credit Analyst | $80,970 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $102,140 |
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SOC: 13-2071.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.